President Mahinda Rajapaksa reached Jordan yesterday as part of his Middle East tour.

The President had received a warm welcome upon his arrival.

President Rajapaksa is scheduled to meet with Jordan’s King Abdulla today.

Matters of bilateral importance pertaining to several trades shall be discussed at the meeting.

Attention will also be paid on the welfare of Sri Lankans serving in Jordan, which in total stands at 83,000.

President Mahinda Rajapaksa’s next stop would be Palestine.

Update : Sunday, 05 January 2014 - 8:04

-------------------------------------------President reaches Jordan

President Mahinda Rajapakse has reached Jordan today.

Presidential spokesperson Mohan Samaranayaka stated that President Rajapakse is scheduled to meet with the leader of Jordanian King Abdullah and engage in bilateral talks.

President Mahinda Rajapakse left the island today to embark on a 5 day official tour of the Middle East in a special aircraft belonging to Sri Lankan Airlines.

President Rajapakse is scheduled to visit Jordan, Palestine and Israel during this tour.

The public of Palestine have great regard for the Sri Lankan President, who played a major role in the Palestinian Cooperation Association and Sri Lankan security forces have enjoyed a close relationship with Israel, which makes this tour a very important one.

Following his visit to Jordan, President Rajapakse is scheduled to engage in a two day visit to Palestine and meet with Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas.

President Mahinda Rajapakse is also scheduled to engage in a tour of Bethlehem as well.

Following the conclusion of his visit to Palestine, President Rajapakse will visit Israel where he will hold discussions with both the Israeli President and Prime Minister.

Saturday, 04 January 2014 - 07:13 PM-----------------------------------------------------------------------President commences 5 day tour to the Middle East

President Mahinda Rajapaksa left the island on a 5 day tour to the Middle East at around 10.20 this morning.

President Media Coordinating Secretary stated that the President is scheduled to visit Jordan, Palestine and Israel.

Sri Lankan President has supported the inalienable rights of the Palestinian people and their right to an independent state.

Diplomatic relations between Sri Lanka and Israel were renewed in 2000 and the two countries collaborate closely on the defence front.

President Rajapaksa will make his first stop in Jordan where he will meet their leader King Abdulla.

President Mahinda Rajapaksa will leave the island on a tour to the Middle East today.

The President is scheduled to visit Jordan, Palestine and Israel.

Sri Lankan President has supported the inalienable rights of the Palestinian people and their right to an independent state.

Diplomatic relations between Sri Lanka and Israel were renewed in 2000 and the two countries collaborate closely on the defence front.

Meanwhile, President Mahinda Rajapakse has instructed officials to conduct development work carried out concurrent to the Deyata Kirula exhibition in a manner that will ensure that the public will be able to enjoy the fruits of the development for a long time.

President Rajapakse has also stressed the importance of ending such projects on time.

Elaborating further the president had stated that the Deyata Kirula exhibition should be considered part of the development of the country and that it is the responsibility of everyone to plan such development in a manner that will enable future generations to enjoy its dividends.

The president issued these instructions to officials during a discussion regarding the Deyata Kirula exhibition that was held at the Temple Trees under the patronage of President Mahinda Rajapakse yesterday.

The Deyata Kirula exhibition is scheduled to be held in Kuliyapitiya parallel to the independence day celebrations.

Several large scale development programs have been already initiated in the Kegalle and Puttalam districts in lieu of the exhibition.